Unmet needs of the elderly influenced by social determinants of health (2023)

MeetCaregivers aims to solve the issues facing seniors, families and caregivers by addressing health care inequities and improving access to quality care. This includes raising awareness about the social determinants of health and their impact on aging at the local level. This research article examines five social determinants of health that contribute to the unmet needs of older people and prevent aging in place.

The country's healthcare system has undergone a remarkable transformation as industry focus has shifted toward patient-centered care. This change has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also exacerbated the unmet needs of vulnerable populations, that is, the elderly.

This change provides new opportunities for collaboration between health care groups to help address the unmet needs of older people. However, as expressed by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) in its statementPolitical Priorities 2019report, success will only come when social and medical institutions prioritize partnership and collaboration.

Collaboration between these groups has grown in the face of the pandemic. Additionally, rising health care costs have led some health professionals to re-examine how the social determinants of health affect seniors and the US health care system.

Understanding the factors that influence our daily lives (whether we are aware of it or not) benefits everyone, especially caregivers of aging loved ones.

Social determinants of health such as the above can reduce the probability of aging at home by 7%. Home care services can help, but afragmented care systemprevents many older people from looking for it. As a result, caregiving responsibilities often fall to other family members, with 34% caring for a relative with a chronic illness and 41% being under 38.

A stronger and more cohesive network of care providers is critical for both older people and caregivers. Not only will more people have the resources to age comfortably and safely in place, but it would ease many of the burdens on family caregivers.

sea ​​aMichigan State University Study, Food insecurity affects 8.9% of older adults living alone, while 3.4% face “very low food insecurity”. In addition, the researchers cited aafter 2015of the Food Research Action Center, who stated:

“Research shows that certain groups of older adults are at higher risk of food insecurity than others. Food insecurity rates tend to be highest among renters who are older, lower income, less educated, black, Hispanic, separated or divorced, single, living in the South (for example, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas , Alabama). , unemployed, living alone, living with a disability, living with grandchildren, or “younger” older adults (i.e., those ages 50-59).”

Healthy relationships and strong social networks support physical and mental health and functioning.behavioral and psychological pathwaysthat can improve health outcomes. Social support may also indirectly protect against adverse health risks, such as B. alleviating emotional anxiety.

Given the importance of a positive social support system for health, social isolation can lead to poorer health outcomes and even premature death. Loneliness and isolation are particularly problematic for older people, whose social networks often diminish with age.

Isolation and loneliness in the elderly are associated with numerous somatic problems and, therefore, constitute one of the greatest challenges for the health system. If not activated, these states can result in higher rates of:

• falls
• heart disease
• cognitive decline
• depression and other mental health problems

sea ​​aAARP 2017 Notice, 14% of seniors experienced isolation, but it accounted for $6.7 billion in additional federal spending. The pandemic has only made this problem worse, with asurvey 202061% of adults over the age of 50 consider themselves socially isolated.

The lack of federal and state preventative measures is particularly detrimental to older people in rural communities, where unmet needs, such as a lack of transportation, only exacerbate isolation. Furthermore, the social supports that support the health of older people vary significantly and sometimes require collaboration across sectors (education, housing, public health) to improve community and improve individual well-being.

These guidelines are also critical for federal spending, which exceeded $702 billion in 2017, or nearly 15% of the total Medicare budget. And in 2019, one in six older adults (approximately 60 million) had insurance coverage. But as the number of seniors eligible for Medicare increases, so does the cost, and some experts expect spending to exceed this1 trillion dollarsuntil 2026.

HeUS Senior RateIt's not the only factor contributing to Medicare increases. To some extent, the social determinants of health are also responsible for contributing to the unmet needs of older people. For example, Medicare is designed to help offset the acute costs of hospital care. However, in the past it has refused to pay for many preventative measures that might prevent the need for hospital care in the first place. And while lawmakers expanded Medicare benefits to support independence and health, including home care, many still receive limited support.

Additionally, some CMS state agencies have considered repealing or reducing regulations, such as non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services. The measure would also increase costs, since coverage of services like NEMT is critical to promoting the well-being and independence of older people. according to aStudy 2018of the Medical Transportation Access Coalition (MTAC), NEMT "saves Medicaid, and therefore taxpayers, more than $40 million per month for every 30,000 beneficiaries treated for any of the three conditions addressed in the study" .

for almost66% of Medicare beneficiariesWith multiple chronic conditions, transportation assistance helps them keep routine medical appointments and receive the care they need, preventing minor problems from becoming costly expenses. The removal of such benefits impedes seniors' access to preventive care, further increasing costs for Medicaid recipients, payers, and payers.

AndA studyfound that age discrimination costs seniors age 60 and older an additional $63 billion (or $1 for every $7) in health care each year. But ageism doesn't just affect individuals; the consequences extend to communities, states, economies and health systems. The far-reaching ripple effects underscore the importance of removing the factors that help ageism persist. But the multifaceted nature of ageism also makes it harder to combat. In response, the WHO offers three methods to stop age discrimination:

• Engage in positive intergenerational activities on a regular basis.
• Combat discrimination and inequality based on age with policies and laws that defend human rights.
• Change misconceptions, accurate information, and conflicting stereotypes by breaking down barriers at all levels of education.

By implementing the above strategies, policymakers and leaders at all levels will help reduce age discrimination while addressing a critical societal decline in health and addressing the unmet needs of older people.

Most older people want to stay at home, but they don't always have the means to do so. We support aging in place by reducing factors that contribute to the unmet needs of older people, such as:

• support independence
• Coping with chronic diseases
• Reduce loneliness and isolation.
• Improve access to care

Our solutions also support caregivers with practical home care resources including training, home health providers, and technology tools such as:

• OurCare Matching Algorithmimproves the match between seniors and caregivers, reduces caregiver turnover by 80%, and increases the satisfaction rate of caregivers, seniors, and families by 90%.
• HeFamily Care Portalallows caregivers, families, seniors, healthcare providers, and carriers to easily connect and track care plans, tasks, activities of daily living, medications, and health data through a single application.
• Ourhome care marketoffers additional products to help seniors at home, such as B. Continence, mobility and accessibility products.

To see how we can help, give us a call.1 (888) 541-1136or email info@meetcaregivers.com to schedule a meeting with a care coordinator. You also can visitFind a sitterto find help today.

For more resources and information on caregiving and aging locally, visit ourThe blog.